Hard-rubber spring-bar for surgical and other instruments



(No Model.)

R. LOOKWOOD.

HARD RUBBER SPRING 'BAR FOR SURGICAL AND OTHER INSTRUMENTS.

No. 323,698. Patented Aug: 4, 1885.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

RHODES LO'OKWOOD, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

HARD-RUBBER SPRING-BAR FOR SURGICAL AND OTHER INSTRUMENTS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 323,698, dated Augustl, 1885.

Application filed April 27, 1885. (No model.)

My invention consists in a bar composed of hard rubber, provided with an interposed hard-rubber spiral spring made integral with the other parts of the bar, substantially as described.

Figure 1 represents a hard rubber bar of ordinary construction. Fig. 2 represents my improved spring-bar; Fig. 3, a section in the line 00 00, looking toward the right; and Fig. 4, a like sectional View in theline w so.

To produce a spring-bar for a handle or stem in accordance with my invention, I will preferably take a hardrubber bar or handle, a, such as shown in Fig. 1, and mount the same in a lathe, so that it may be turned as desired by hand, and by means of a rotating cutting-tool I gradually cut into it (the said bar) spirally past its center as the bar is partially or slowly turned, thus cutting away the material of the bar, leaving one or more spirals, 1), between the parts marked a a, the spiral part I) acting as a spiral spring, and permitting the bar or handle or stem to be bent as desired in any direction and to thereafter resume its shape.

Heretofore in uterine supporters two parts 0 of a hard-rubber handle have been connected with a different compound of india-rubber, a compound having the characteristics of soft or vulcanized rubber, it yielding to the movement of the'person when walking or otherwise; but such soft-rubber portions are objectionable because they are, in a measure, absorbent, or retain impurities, and becomeof fensive.

One end of the bar is shown as screw-threaded, to enable it to be attached to a supporter or other article with which it is to be employed. The hard-rubber bar a, with an attached integral hard-rubber spring, may serve as a connecting-link between any two objects, or may be used as a bell-handle.

The hard-rubber bar having the spiralspring-like portion may be produced in other manner than herein described-as, for instance, the rubber compound may be shaped, as in Fig. 2, by molding or hand manipulation, and be thereafter subjected to the usual treatment to convert it into hard rubber.

I claim As an improved article of manufacture, a hard-rubber rod provided with a hardrubber portion integral therewith and spirally arranged to form a hard rubber spiral spring, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name 70 to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

RHODES LOGKWOOD Witnesses:

G. W. GREGORY, B. J. NoYEs. 

